Artillery: China Revives a 1960s Hit

Archives

October 10, 2007: China has a new, Scud type, ballistic missile, but appears to be offering it only to the export market, and not the Chinese armed forces. The P12 has a range of 150 kilometers, and a half ton warhead. Using GPS guidance, the solid fuel missile will hit within 50 meters of the aim point. Using inertial guidance, it will be within 120 meters. China is offering conventional warheads, using submunitions. The P12 is very similar to the U.S. Sergeant missile, which was deployed for about a decade, beginning in 1963. Sergeant used a nuclear warhead, and with inertial guidance, was able to put the warhead to within 100 meters of the aim point. The Sergeant launcher was hauled around by a tractor, with the missile carried in a separate truck. The P12, like Sergeants 1970s successor, was carried, and launched, from the same vehicle. In the case of the P12, it's a large truck. One reason for not buying the P12 for the Chinese army is the range. China is concentrating on buying missiles with a range to get across the 180 kilometers wide Taiwan Straits.

X

ad

Help Keep StrategyPage Open

First came Facebook, then came Twitter, and finally, AI has arrived. They have all caused a decline in our business, but AI may be the deadliest innovation. We are currently in survival mode. Our writers and staff receive no payment in some months, and even when they do, it is below the minimum wage for their efforts. You can support us with your donations or subscriptions. Please help us keep our doors open.

Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on X.

Subscribe   Donate   Close